Cleaning with kids can be fun and it can be taxing too. I have two children, one that is easy to please and very compliant, and another that fights me tooth and nail on just about everything. So I have tips on how to get children to clean, the easy child and the difficult one!

Sing the cleanup song together. The cleanup song or any other song you want to make up. Singing makes the work go by faster, makes them think of something other than the task, and encourages them to know they are doing a good job.

Make cleaning up a contest. You and your child can race each other to see who can get the most picked up the fastest. Not sure I would recommend this if you have two children; I don’t like pitting one child against another even in fun.

Be energetic about cleaning up. Again, give cleaning up the feeling of a game. Make it fun. Be a good example to your children, if they see Mommy or Daddy having a fun time doing the chores then they will want to help.

Have patience. Cleaning with kids is going to take twice as long as doing it yourself. My biggest weakness is not letting my daughter help me clean. I just want to get it done, but letting her help teaches her responsibility and makes her happy. Also, try to have patience when it’s not going well. I admit that I’m quick to start yelling. Yelling just makes things worse, I tell you that from experience.

Finally, the one sure fire thing I’ve been able to say to get my son to clean is, “If you do not pick that up right now it’s going in the trash.” “No Mommy, don’t throw it away”, he grabs it and hides it in the abyss known as his room. The house is a work in progress; I’ll get him to clean his room before he’s 18 I promise.

By guest blogger, Louise Bishop, MomStart

I'm sure you've heard of the expression, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". It couldn't be more true. I often find myself trying to be "Super Mom", but by the end of the day, I'm more like "Grumpy Mom". Even the best moms need a little bit of time to themselves so they don't go crazy.

Some moms require a little more "Me Time" than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. I often take an hour during naps to eat lunch by myself and watch a show that is meant for audiences over the age of 5. I really enjoy having my kids close by all the time and don't really need a whole lot of time to myself. I actually get cranky if I spend more than a few hours away from my kids - weird, huh?

Even though I absolutely love hanging out with my kids, I do have my meltdowns. Sometimes I can feel that I'm getting close to a breaking point and as soon as my husband gets home I'll get him to watch the kids while I take a bubble bath and read a book. Usually I feel much better in just a matter of 30 minutes which makes for a much more patient mommy.

All moms should take a little time here or there to do something that they enjoy. Finding a way to get some time to yourself can be challenging, but it really will help you be the best mom possible. In addition to adult interaction, moms also need a little time to themselves without kids hanging from their arms and legs. You don't have to be "Super Mom", taking just a few minutes to yourself will benefit your whole family.

By guest blogger, Dee, Two of a Kind

While we're fortunate to live in a city that gets at least 325 sunny or partially sunny days a year, this is not the norm in most parts of the country.  This winter has been surprisingly wet, and trying to keep a 3 year old entertained for the day has put my creativity to the test. While movies are a feasible option, many children will only sit for so long, particularly if they're used to running, jumping, and playing. 

Here are some of my tried and true activities for keeping a young child entertained on a rainy day.

Rediscover your library: From time to time, we'll get into a pattern of reading the same books over and over, leaving an entire library undiscovered.  Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to pull out those books that have been gathering dust on your shelves.  Rather than simply reading those books, why not act them out or retell them with new endings you've created?

Pull out those puzzles and games: Invite neighborhood friends over and make it a playdate.  For a unique twist, make up new rules.  Don't forget to use this opportunity to help your child learn through play.  Many games teach colors, numbers, social skills and more.

Dress up!:  Whether it's donning those fall Halloween costumes, dressing up in pre-made costumes, or creating your own with clothes you already have, dressing up is a fun, imaginative way to spend the day.  Once you've gotten into character, play a game or tell a story in costume.

Explore the baker within you: Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to try out that new recipe you've been wanting to experiment with.  If you'd rather not bake from scratch, cookie kits and store-bought cake mixes work well, particularly for smaller tots who may not have the attention span for an all-out baking project.

Get the wiggles out:  Just because it's raining doesn't mean you have to stay home.  Head to your local museum (many have free days) or play space to learn, discover and play.

Get crafting:  I try to have a supply of crafting materials on hand for those days when we're stuck indoors.  Think outside the box...beyond coloring and painting.  Perhaps you can work on a simple woodworking project or paper mache.

Be smart about video games:  Gone are the days of mindlessly zoning out on video games.  Today's gaming technology gets kids off the couch and moving with fun fitness games.  You can also play family games and educational games.

Rainy days don't have to dampen your mood.  You're only limited by your imagination. Spending some time indoors allows your family to regroup, reconnect, and catch up on some much needed down time.  And when all else fails, don those rain boots and a brolly and stomp in a few puddles.

By guest blogger, Caryn Baily, Rockinmama